It will not be too much longer when the new community pool, that replaced the Roosevelt, will open. Yet, it was on this date, April 17, 1938 that the Roosevelt Pool opened.
The Works Projects Administration (WPA) was part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal program to help stimulate economic recovery brought upon the Great Depression of the 1930s. For years Susanville residents desired a swimming pool. Frank O’Kelly spearheaded the movement and wanted to convert the Fruit Growers ranch (now Susanville Ranch Park) into a recreational facility complete with a golf course, swimming pool, picnic area and playground. Everyone liked the concept except for Fruit Growers who owned the property and were not interested in leasing or donating the property. O’Kelly undaunted by the setback persevered and it was decided to move forward with a community pool. The plans were submitted and the WPA approved it for a cost of $28,433.
Can you find any History on Cully Hester who was the custodian of the Roosevelt pool in the 40’s & 50’s.
James Culley Hester
Birth: Nov. 4, 1886,
Little Rock, Pulaski Co., AR
Death: Jan. 30, 1963
Tulsa
Tulsa County
Oklahoma, USA
FROM THE “PRESS ARGUS” Van Buren, Arkansas’s local Newspaper. Dated: January 31, 1963.
J.C. HESTER
James Culley Hester, 76 years old, died Wednesday morning, January 30, 1963 at his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma, of a heart ailment.
A longtime resident of the Cove City community where he was a farmer he will be remembered by many folks in Crawford county. Mr. Hester went to California 25 years ago returning to Tulsa in June of last year to make his home.
Survivors are his wife, one sons, seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.